A Direct Metal-Free Decarboxylative Sulfono Functionalization (DSF) of Cinnamic Acids to α,β-Unsaturated Phenyl Sulfones.

A metal-free room temperature decarboxylative cross-coupling between cinnamic acids and arylsulfonyl hydrazides has been realized for the first time for the synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones. The scope and versatility of the reaction has been demonstrated by the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 22 derivatives with diverse structural features.